Alec Stoke-dUrberville - Literature Essay Samples

As the various facets of a diamond reflect light according to the viewing perspective, so humans also possess multi-faceted aspects of personality. Hardys Victorian novel presents an interesting character study of Alec Stoke-dUrberville, the lascivious rake who violates his cousin, converts to a fiery preacher, and tragically discovers his lack of worldly and religious faith. In Tess of the dUrbervilles, Alecs personality and character undergo superficial transformations observable in his physical appearance, emotional temperament, and intellectual guile.Before Hardy brings Alec onto the set, he introduces the Stoke-dUrbervilles spurious claim to the dUrberville nobility, which Alecs father established after conning for an hour (33). Alecs emergence from the dark triangular door of his tent suggests a menacing distortion of the Holy Trinity. Hardys physical description of Alec paints a lifelike embodiment of his physique and captures fleeting images of his character. Alecs swart hy complexion, badly molded mouth, and barbaric traces portray a sinister figure (34). Despite these unattractive physical characteristics, Alec still possesses full, smooth lips and a well-groomed mustache (34). Likewise, Alecs character combines an evil side with a noble side, as his subsequent concern for Tesss situation shows. Most evident in the windows to his soul, Alec does not restrain his carnal desires, but allows his rolling eye to boldly scan Tesss fulness of growth, further verifying a lack of moral constraint (37).Hardy subtly introduces the temperamental traits of Alec through the various interactions with other characters. Upon Tesss arrival at Trantridge Cross, Alec immediately perceives her confusion and plays the part of a kind, friendly kinsman, though his eyes betray a different interest. In the fruit garden, Alec obstinately insists on his way. Although Tess wishes to depart and to eat the strawberries with her own hands, Alec compels her to remain and feed s her the fruits. His diction further exposes his depraved nature as he immediately calls Tess his Beauty (34) and his pretty coz (36). His nonchalant description of his mother as an invalid (34) reveals an impertinent attitude toward elders. When Alec visits the Durbeyfields to request Tesss assistance on the fowl farm, he constantly places his hand up to his moustache, arrogantly flaunting his diamond ring. The wild descent on horseback reflects his reckless conduct and vehement temper. Car Darchs jealousy of Tess divulges Alecs capricious passions, passing quickly from one relationship to another. During the night in Chaseborough, Alec persistently follows Tess though she repeatedly refuses his offers to accompany her home.In addition to his physical features and determination, Alecs deceptive nature plays a large role in trapping Tess. When the Durbeyfields receive a letter from the blind Mrs. dUrberville, Hardy delicately insinuates at the rather masculine handwriting, rev ealing the deceptive nature of Alec (42). After meeting Mrs. dUrberville, Tess concludes that little love exists between the blind woman and son, wherein Hardy promptly rectifies that Mrs. dUrberville loves her son resentfully and is bitterly fond of him (55), paradoxical sentiments that Tess later expresses for her illegitimate child. Although Hardy repudiates the belief of sins of the forefathers visiting subsequent generations, the earlier mention of Alecs uncertain origin and the false titular annexation seem to bare the fathers past misdeeds and explain the sons deceitful spirit. Two years after spoiling Tesss maidenhood, Alec hardly repents and merely tells Tess to stop reminding him, for he will mend any wrongdoing with his money. He coldly declares that he no longer needs to flatter Tess with compliments since he has obtained what he desired from her.Two years after the night in The Chase, Tess reencounters dUrberville and observes the same man of her past only now clothe d in a different costume. Alec still bears the same handsome unpleasantness of mien, differing only in the replacement of his former black mustache with old-fashioned whiskers (299). His garments are only partially clerical, a slight modification. Before Alec notices Tess in the doorway, Hardy foreshadows that the black angularities of Alecs face mirror the stubbornness of an incorrigible backslider (300). His facial expressions have merely been diverted from their hereditary connotation, false impressions for which nature never intended them (300). Hardy mentions that Alecs appearance is less a reform than a transfiguration, hinting that Alecs transformation is merely a transitory variation and not a permanent renunciation of former moral defects (299).Alecs disposition further undermines the authenticity of his conversion. When Alec spots Tess and follows her, he appears sincerely remorseful and genuinely devoted to his religious doctrine. Yet Tesss reference to a superior man who does not adhere to Alecs religious scheme causes Alecs old resentment to immediately spring out at a moments notice (303). As Hardy intimated previously, Alecs former sensuousness has only adapted to the devotional passion that his clerical profession requires. Alecs old self has merely lain dormant during his whimsical conversion (318), neither extracted, nor even entirely subdued (304). When Alec meets Tess again, he partially accepts the blame for her condition and reveals that he is merely the base imitation (308) of a dUrberville. His weakness, however, causes him to continually accuse Tess as the sole cause of his backsliding.The final development of Alecs character arises as the rejection of his former beliefs leads to an obsessive pursuit after Tess. Alecs persuasive tactics take the form of unrelenting questions, poisonous seeds of doubt, and material provision. He begins to weaken her resolve in order to ensnare her again. Although Alec apologizes to Tess, h e seeks not her forgiveness, but rather the fulfillment of his mothers dying wishmarriage. Despite her dismissals, Alec consistently returns to Tess, speaks in seductive tones, and ignores her cold behavior. When Tess desperately implores Alec not to mention her brothers and sisters lest she completely break down, Alec instinctively stores this valuable fact away for later use. His attempts to protect her from Farmer Groby and sympathize with her parallel the wiles of the Other One who successively tempted Eve (343). He incessantly negates the prospect of Angels return and positively confirms his status as her friend (349). Knowing that Tess has lost her father and the property, the determined, emphatic dUrberville takes full advantage of the situation, insisting on caring for her mother and her siblings (349).Thomas Hardys development of Alec Stoke-dUrberville begins with a misleading physical description that leads to an equally deceiving personality. The shady features of Al ecs figure mirror his questionable character. His pretentious claim to the dUrberville name reflects his equally hollow religious conversion. His adamant temperament and resentment merely lie hidden beneath a shallow coating of religion. Once he abandons this religious yoke, he throws all of his energy into capturing Tess, the tragic end of an empty soul.